How to Sharpen Your Critical-Thinking Skills

How to Sharpen Your Critical-Thinking Skills How to Sharpen Your Critical-Thinking SkillsA critical thinker looks at a situation from all angles. If youre looking to develop this key skill, we have some advice. TWEETTony Wagner, education expert and author of The Global Achievement Gap, argues that students need 3 basic skills in order to thrive in a knowledge economy1. The ability to do critical thinking and problem-solving.2. The ability to communicate effectively.3. The ability to collaborate.What is true for students is true for all of us professionals, or students of the world of work These skills are invaluable and sache on the skills list of what employers look for. Id recommend that anyone who cares about knowledge job wertmiger zuwachs strengthen and continuously exercise all of these skills. I can say theyve served me extraordinarily well so far in my career, from teaching English as a foreign language, to helping organizations grow as a writer and editor for a marketing ag ency.The supreme importance of critical thinking.Wagner lists critical thinking first for a reason. Its paramount. In the classic cognitive skills of traditional education, its the difference between the bottom of Blooms taxonomy (memorization) and the top (evaluation). Along with the other indispensable skills of a knowledge-based economy, critical thinking is rooted in a rigorous and balanced approach to looking at the world, what many employers look for.Whether in a classroom, laboratory, online program or live workshop (even self-study), the sharper your critical-thinking skills, the easier it will be for you to apply your knowledge to boost your career growth. To borrow from Blooms taxonomy again, those who can use their knowledge to analyze, synthesize and ultimately evaluate, can adapt to any job situation and thrive within it. The particular knowledge itself is less important than the types of thought processes youre exposed to and practice on a regular basis.Essentially, th e critical thinker cultivates a mindset (grounded in awareness) that looks at all the angles of a given situation. How do you see more angles? How do you become more aware? Well, its partly a function of experience, but its also a habit of mind. Having a healthy curiosity and drive to understand the why behind things, not just the how, broadens perception and awareness. Its also a key skill for a resume.How do you improve your critical-thinking skills?To abflug, weve got no shortage of literary sources to turn to in the current exploding market for productivity advice. Some of these bestsellers can help you reevaluate many of your foundational choices, which translates directly to work choices. Being active and deliberate with your life choices requires critical thinking. A good book Im reading right now is Eat Move Sleep by Tom Rath another Im looking forward to reading soon is Charles Duhiggs just-published Smarter Faster Better. If youre only going to read one book, Id start with Maria Konnikovas Mastermind, which uses modern neuroscience to explain the ways we can all learn to think like Sherlock Holmes. I have found her take on mental performance to be completely mesmerizing and integral to my productivity in both work and life.What employers look for.At most places where youd want to be working, employers are looking for people to ask the right questions. Indeed, being inquisitive is one of the fundamental principles of company culture where I work. This knack for probing deeper into what motivates an organization is exactly what smart employers seek. In fact, when I was last on the job market, I relied heavily on a book (maybe this one sorry, too long ago) that helps job-seekers formulate the best questions to ask during an interview.I got the job.With no prior experience in the industry. And very little knowledge. Furthermore, I could tell before getting the formal offer that one reason I was on track was the quality of the conversation my questions enabled. Apparently I tricked them into thinking I was a legit candidate In all seriousness, by demonstrating a leaders forward-thinking tendency while interviewing for an entry-level position, I showed my commitment and potential. Ultimately, I left a great impression, thanks in large part to my questions.Ask intelligent questions.One of the hallmarks of critical thinking is asking intelligent questions not necessarily knowing the answers, but the best questions to ask. As indicated in the preceding section, the ability to articulateand refinea powerful question is a highly coveted job skill and a key skill for a resume. It indicates you care about outcomes and can take a long-term perspective, which are signs of professional maturity. And it starts from critical thinking.So, ask more questions. Be open-minded. Learn as much as you can. Then debate, explore and play with your new knowledge. Practice thinking critically until it is as natural to you as breathing. This is what emplo yers look for. Before long, you will start to look at the world differently. Even more exciting, your employer and colleagues will start looking at you differently, too.Want to see how your resume stacks up? Try out our free critique todayRelated Articles

The Honest to Goodness Truth on Resume Application

The Honest to Goodness Truth on Resume Application All About Resume Application Make certain that the content of your resume is directly associated with the requirements the business is searching for. At first, application forms appear to provide a work hunter no leeway. Meta descriptions permit you to influence the way your web pages are described and displayed in search success. In the event the application is done online, theres ordinarily a box to check. Resume Application - the Conspiracy Lying on your resume may also lead to termination based on just what the lie was about. Even in the event that you craft the ideal schmelzglas to send a resume, its still true that you require a killer cover letter. The letter ought to be long enough to reiterate the way you can benefit the business and why you believe youre the very best candidate for the position. Your cover letter ought to be well written and totally free of errors if you want to obtain an interview. Mention t he job that you are applying for and where you found the work listing. Job hunting and interviewing can be quite stressful. A work hunt may be stressful ordeal, particularly when youre faced with long waits and rejection. When it isnt formatted correctly, you might be passing up the work prospect. Choosing Good Resume Application Possessing a great resume format is vital to organizing your data in a sense which will help you become leidiced. There are many strategies to compose a resume. Writing a perfect resume email is only a fraction of all of the situations you must keep in mind before you click send. The best resumes are a reflection of an individual, NOT only a group of words on a sheet of paper. The True Meaning of Resume Application Basic resume formats do not signify that it may lead to lesser odds of being chosen for an interview. The forms certainly dont have the flexibility that a resume does, but youre still able to utilize them to your very best advantage. You should do mora than just list your prior work experience. Finding Resume Application Online The resume format sample ought to be accomplished well. Formats of resumes may fluctuate depending on the likeness of somebody. You may still attach your cover letter in another file, just be sure it matches the content of your cover email. As soon as youve written your amazing cover letter providing more info on your expertise and the way it is related to the job that youre applying for, its very important to format it correctly before sending it to any recruiters. Thus, bear that in mind as you write your email message. Your resume email must be short and sweet. If asked for such info, you have to be honest. Include information regarding how you will follow up.